HANNA GREALLY LITERARY AWARDS

This just in from SiarScéal:

Hanna Greally Literary Awards 2015 including the Ger Hanily Memorial Cup

Theme: Centenary in Reflection

Submissions of poetry, prose, short stories on the theme are invited, subject to rules of entry - see below.

Prizes: The Overall Prize Winner will receive a cash prize of €200 Runners-Up prizes will also be awarded in categories that include International Poetry, International Prose/Short Stories, National Poetry, National Prose/Short-Story, Local Winner in both Poetry and Prose/Short Stories categories, prizes for Highly Commended and National Schools.

The Ger Hanily Memorial Cup will also be awarded from the entries submitted.

Competition Rules of Entry:

·         All entries submitted must be the author’s own unpublished work

·         Entries are limited to three entries (poems, short-story or prose) per person

·         Entries submitted must be typed and titled

·         Entrant’s name and address contact number, details, must be on a separate page to the written submission

·         Entries will not be returned and the judges’ decision is final

·         Festival organisers and guests are not eligible for entry

·         Entry into the competition implies acceptance of the competition rules and guidelines.

Competition Entry Fee: €5 per entry; €10 for three entries.

Please make cheques, postal orders, etc. payable to SiarScéal Festival Group. Include with your entry submission, which can be posted to SiarScéal Festival, c/o Richie Farrell, County Librarian, Roscommon County Council Library Services, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

Payments by credit/debit card can be made to the PayPal account of payments@siarsceal.com

You can also enter online. Please see our website for more information - www.siarsceal.com/competitions

Closing Date: All entries, posted and online, must be received before 5pm on Friday 23rd October 2015.

HANNA GREALLY LITERARY AWARDS 2014

Festival 2014 Update: Terms of Entry for Hanna Greally Literary Awards Extended

By a decision by the SiarScéal Festival organisers, the terms of entry for the 2014 Hanna Greally Literary Awards have been extended. The maximum length of composition for poetry submissions is now 100 lines (previously 60), while prose and short stories submissions of up to 1,000 words (previously 300) will also be accepted. This decision has been made in response to requests received and in order to encourage the widest participation. Competition entrants should of course be aware that no particular merit will be attached to submissions solely on the basis of length of composition. Quality, not dependent on quantity, is what the judges will be looking for. The theme for this years competition is open - entries will be accepted on any theme, topic or subject. The Ger Hanily Memorial Cup, which forms part of the Awards, will be awarded to the best entry received on the theme of Coman's Wood. The organisers hope that this decision will provide an additional spur to authors and writers who are considering entering this year's competition, where the overall prize winner will receive a publishing package deal from The Manuscript Publisher, valued at €1,000. Full terms and conditions of entry are available from the SiarScéal website. Closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, 10 October. Winners will be announced at the SiarScéal Festival, which takes place on Saturday, 25 October at Roscommon Library in Roscommon Town. The full Programme of Events takes in an evening of readings, concert recitals and workshops. Make a note in your diary.

Hanna Greally Lit Comp 2013

The Hanna Greally Literary Competition 2013 celebrates The Gathering with its theme.

Competition Guidelines

All entries submitted must be the author’s own unpublished work in the English language.

Entries are limited to three poems/prose, stories per person

Poems will be no longer than 60 lines. Short stories/prose no longer than 500 words

Entries submitted must be typed and titled.

Entrant’s name/address/contact number/details and Poem/Story/Prose title must be written on a separate page-not to appear on the same page of the Poem.

Entries will not be returned and the judges’ decision is final.

Festival organisers and guests are not eligible for entry.

Entry into the competition implies acceptance of the competition guidelines.

Closing date for entries will be Friday 15th February 2013

CATEGORIES

Local groups/writers, national schools from 10 years upwards, secondary & third level students

National writers/groups, and the ‘Irish’ abroad or those with Irish links

Winners will be invited to read during the Festival Launch.

The Ger Hanily Memorial Cup will be awarded for the poem with the best sense of ‘Pride of Place’

Submission Fees: €10/£10/$10 for up to three submissions; school entries: €2. If you would like to pay via PayPal use the button here and quote your receipt number or transaction reference with your entry submission.

Entries to:

SiarScéal Festival c/o Richie Farrell, County Librarian, Roscommon County Council Library Services, Abbey Street, Roscommon, Ireland.

Further details:

Phone: 00-353 (0) 872628191 Email: siarsceal@live.ie Visit: www.siarsceal.com

BALLAGHADEREEN / BEALACH AN DOIRÍN READING

I was invited to Ballagahdereen library last night, to do a bilingual reading, for Seachtain na Gaeilge. I love libraries and we got a warm welcome from Deirdre, the librarian, and Dónall Mac Aodha, who is Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge (Irish Language Development Officer) with Roscommon County Council.

My Irish can be a tad meirgeach (rusty) at times, as I only use it these days for either translating poetry, or at the school gates, but it seemed to flow well enough in the event. There was a nice crowd there, between Rosmuc men and natives of Bealach an Doirín, Irish language learners and poetry enthusiasts.

The best bit (as per) was the questions afterwards. Really, it was more of a discussion on placenames, place-related imagery and a bit of local history. I could've chatted and listened all night. People have wonderful stories and insights, and the audience weren't shy, which was great.

The Co Co put us up in the swanky Abbeyfield Hotel and, all in all, it was a lovely trip to a friendly and welcoming town.

Oh, and my pal, Gwen MacNamara-Bond - who runs the extraordinary Siar Scéal Festival so well - was there and she tells me they have extended the deadline for this year's Poetry Competition to Wednesday the 18th of March, so there is still time to get your work in, if you send it today or Monday. See here for details.

SIARSCÉAL FESTIVAL 2009 POETRY COMP

I thoroughly enjoyed my participation in the 2008 SiarScéal Festival, in very posh surrounds (Clonalis House, Co Roscommon), and today I received information about the SiarScéal Poetry Competition for 2009 from Director Gwen McNamara-Bond:

SIARSCÉAL POETRY COMPETITION THEME: ‘THE SHIP OF TEARS’

Competition Guidelines
All Poems submitted must be the author’s own unpublished work.

Bilingual poems are encouraged especially poetry submitted in the Irish Language.

Entries are limited to three poems per person.

Poems will be no longer than 60 lines.

Poetry submitted must be typed and titled.

The entrant’s name/address/contact number/details and poem title must be written on a separate page - not to appear on the same page of the poem.

Closing date for entries: Thursday March 5th 2009. Entries will not be returned and the Judge’s decision is final.

Entry into the competition implies acceptance of the competition guidelines.

Festival Organisers and Guests are not eligible for entry.

SiarScéal ‘Hanna Greally’ Bilingual Poetry Competition Awards will be judged under the following four categories: secondary schools, active age groups/writers groups & international entries.

First prize both in Irish and English will each receive €100, and the overall winner will be awarded an original sculpture by sculptor Joe Cunniffe. Each winning category will also be awarded €100 in prize money and each contestant will receive also a SiarScéal 09 Certificate which will be presented to them by the Mayor.

Poetry Competition Entry Fees: €10 per poem and €15 per three poems submitted.
Active Age Members & Students contributing €5 for two poems entered & €10 for three.

Poetry competition entries to be sent to Richie Farrell, County Librarian, SIARSCÉAL Festival, Roscommon County Council Library, Services, Abbey Street, County Roscommon. Further details can be obtained from Artistic Director Gwen McNamara Bond at Siarsceal@live.ie Ph: 087-2628191 http://siarsceal.com/